TRAVERSE CITY- Chris Givens is no stranger to postseason glory. This season, his 33rd at the helm of the Trojans, they entered playoff play under .500,
but the experience of Givens helped the team make a run all the way to the quarter finals, bringing home his ninth regional trophy of his career.
“You know, in the regional tournament, the quarterfinal, that was by far the best hockey we had played all year. And no better time than then. And, and
know, for all the struggles we had been through up to that point as we’re really proud of how they finished” (Givens).
Givens also has a state championship under his belt, has won 13 conference championships and this year moved into ninth on the all-time wins list for the MHSAA, ending the season with 441.
His accolades were enough to earn him a spot in the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019.
“It’s when you get into it, you certainly don’t think about it. And even when I was into it for 20 or 25 years, I never really thought of that. And then when, you know, I’ll see something in print or something on the MHC site and, all these coaches and I’m just like, you know, my name’s in there and I’m like, I don’t belong with those guys, you know?” (Givens).
Givens received another honor this year when he was surprised following a win and learned that the Central locker room would be furthermore named in his honor.
“I was shocked. And, you know, they did a really good job of keeping it from me. After the game, I couldn’t figure out why the players weren’t coming off the ice, you know? And then I heard John Simon on the P.A. say about their special presentation and needed me back out there and still didn’t know what was going on at that point. And then when I read the plaque and got the picture of what the lettering was going to look like, I was just I was just floored. Like you never in a million years would I have ever thought that that would happen. You know, just a huge honor for me and certainly for my family, too”.
Coach Givens was also quick to credit those that have helped him reach this point in his career.
Well, I think it’s you know, the main thing is that you just and I and I heard it a long time ago is you just surround yourself with good people and those good people make good things happen. And it’s always been that way. I mean, I’ve had great assistant coaches. I’ve had tremendous support from the administration of the school. Obviously, you’ve got to have really good hockey players, which we’ve had a ton of. And so, it’s just been kind of a collective effort, you know, with the extended hockey family and, you know, everybody just pulling in the same direction”.
Givens has watched the growth of the sport and the way the game has changed over his career but has rolled with the punches and will return for his 34th season next year, and he’s already looking for ways to improve.
“You know, our off season will be key. Not only the stuff that you do on the ice, but in the weights and conditioning with Billy and, you know, our skill sessions and things like that. That’s going to be pivotal for us. But we’re excited right where we’re going to be. We’re going to be in good shape”.